August 15, 2006, Sewickley, PA — Branded customer procurement portals and digital storefronts are enabling graphic communications companies to grow revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and streamline workflows. PIA/GATF will be exploring the business and technical issues tied to this opportunity at its newly announced Web-to-Print Symposium on Sunday, November 12 in Phoenix. The day-long event will feature printer case studies, explore the various web-to-print strategies in use, and help printers evaluate an increasing array of software solutions. “This trend has clear implications for the industry. With leading printers providing customers easy-to-use on-line ordering that supports a true print-on-demand model, helps manage branding, and shrinks turnaround time, the future is obvious—printers across the board will live and die by the strength of their Internet-based services,” said Jim Workman, vice president of training for PIA/GATF. The Symposium begins with an overview of W2P strategies by Julie Shaffer, who has been leading PIA/GATF’s research in the area. Additional sessions explore the decision to build, buy, or use a hosted W2P system, and how to handle the various challenges to success. All major suppliers of W2P software will be represented. The Symposium takes place before the start of PIA/GATF’s Variable Data and Personalization Conference in Phoenix. For further information on the PIA/GATF Web-to-Print Symposium, visit www.gain.net (“Events and Training”) or contact Ned Herrick at PIA/GATF at (800) 910-4283 (x712).